(TiO2@TiO2)n@PMO/Bipy-IL sun-light photocatalyst for oxidative formic acid decomposition

A bridge dimeric organic functional group viologen PMOs synthesized via layer by layer growth on titania (TiO2) has beenunprecedently prepared as stable periodic mesoporous organosilica using surfactant under mild acidic conditions. The layer by layerTiO2 incorporation within the prepared organic functional group viologen-PMO could successfully develop a new type of hybridphoto-oxidation system for the mineralization of formic acid under sunlight irradiation conditions [1]. Periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs) with an organic-inorganic hybrid framework have shown improved catalyticand photocatalytic properties in comparison to other materials 1-2. These hybrid structures possess some obviousadvantages over porous sol-gel derived or grafted hybrid materials such as highly ordered structures with very uniformpores, high loadings, and homogeneous distribution of functional groups throughout the whole framework 2. However,despite the unique characteristic of PMOs, their impact as supports in photo-catalytic systems for environmentalapplications has been unexplored to date. Recently, our group has explored several PMO and PMO-type hybrid supportsfor encapsulation of transition metal nanoparticles and organic functional groups for catalytic aims. We have alsoreported the synthesis and encapsulation of Pd nanoparticles for FA decompositions. In this project, we present thesynthesis and use of PMO with bridge organic functional group viologen as a dimeric skeleton and novel support forlayer by layer growth of amorphous TiO2. We also demonstrate the ability of this material in a selective photo-oxidationof FA under sunlight conditions.

Keywords:

(TiO2)n@PMO/Bipy-IL , Formic acid decompositions , Mesoporous materials